October 2026 · Final learning report
Seven years, seven lessons: Building African off-grid energy businesses
Launched in late 2019, VentureBuilder set out to help African-owned and managed off-grid energy businesses build sustainable companies through patient capital and practical, long-term Enterprise Development Services (EDS). Seven years later, the work had helped companies strengthen capabilities, navigate difficult periods, and attract further financing, while influencing other enterprise-support initiatives. But the scaled-up financing vehicle never reached financial close. The lessons are therefore twofold: embedded support can help businesses become stronger, but the financing model used to deliver it may not be commercially viable.
